One of the biggest tourist attractions in Serbia is the Šargan Eight. It is a heritage narrow-gauge railway, considered one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. Narrow-gauge railway is running from the village of Mokra Gora to Šargan Vitasi station.
Construction of the railway line began during World War I and was extremely due to the mountainous terrain and poisonous snakes. The works were halted in 1916 after explosion during the digging of the tunnel killed between 150 and 200 Italian and Russian prisoners. The construction was resumed in 1921 in the newly formed Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The first train to Vardište made his journey on 25 January 1925.
The Šargan Eight line was closed on 28 February 1974. Between 1999 and 2003 the Serbian section of the line was rebuilt by the Serbian Ministry of Tourism and the Yugoslav state railway JŽ. The line became fully operational on 1 September 2003. The Šargan Eight was extended to Višegrad in 2010.
Currently seasonal trains run from Mokra Gora to Šargan Vitasi and back, with occasionally running to Višegrad. The trains passes through the most beautiful mountain areas of Mokra Gora with 5 bridges and 22 tunnels and a descent of 300 m (980 ft) was surmounted with the tracks which curve in the shape of 8, hence the name.
Regular trains hauled by diesel locomotive are comprised of restored carriages from 1930s.
Trains usually run from April 1 to October 31 and from December 25 mid-January.
Srbijavoz – more information (Serbian language)
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